Private school parent small talk in December: EVERYONE bragging about upcoming ritzy trips

[Anonymous]

We don't travel but I have never felt that people are trying to brag about their travels. "Have any plans for the break?" seems like a normal small-talk question. I just say, "No, we are staying in town, how about you?" It's not that serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

Right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't travel but I have never felt that people are trying to brag about their travels. "Have any plans for the break?" seems like a normal small-talk question. I just say, "No, we are staying in town, how about you?" It's not that serious.

It is normal. But when they ask you with a certain spunky swagger, they are doing it to tee up being asked about their plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't travel but I have never felt that people are trying to brag about their travels. "Have any plans for the break?" seems like a normal small-talk question. I just say, "No, we are staying in town, how about you?" It's not that serious.

It is normal. But when they ask you with a certain spunky swagger, they are doing it to tee up being asked about their plans.

NP. How exhausting it must be to be you.

[Anonymous]

Eh, I just don't think it's a big deal. We aren't going anywhere (unless you count driving to visit family in VA?) because it's too expensive, not to mention exhausting. But if someone else can and wants to? Good for them. It's not a moral judgement or anything.

[Anonymous]

I have kids in both public and private and can ASSURE YOU this is not something that only happens with my private school peers.

Try harder troll.

Or is this is an actual human adult, grow up and stop playing with the mean girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh, I just don't think it's a big deal. We aren't going anywhere (unless you count driving to visit family in VA?) because it's too expensive, not to mention exhausting. [b]But if someone else can and wants to? Good for them. It's not a moral judgement or anything.

This. Good for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

Right.

Just because you desperately want to travel at the holidays, but don’t have enough money to, doesn’t mean everyone wants to do the same. How provincial of you. You must not have very many wealthy friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't travel but I have never felt that people are trying to brag about their travels. "Have any plans for the break?" seems like a normal small-talk question. I just say, "No, we are staying in town, how about you?" It's not that serious.

It is normal. But when they ask you with a certain spunky swagger, they are doing it to tee up being asked about their plans.

NP. How exhausting it must be to be you.

+1 I think it comes from jealousy/insecurity such a sad way to live

[Anonymous]

LOL I was asked recently of our plans and was very honest when I shared that we plan to clean out the basement. Person couldn't wait to get away from me lol.

[Anonymous]

We’re on the west coast and when my DD was in preschool, kids got pulled to go to their houses in Big Sky, Sun Valley and Hawaii so frequently that she thought her friends were on trips when they were out sick. But some classmates did go to Hawaii as often as the normal 3 year old has the sniffles.

I especially like when people detail their get-togethers with other school families in distant locations. Ok, we get it, you are all having fun without us.

We travel a ton but no way do I talk about it. I hate how fancy travel talk has somehow become acceptable small talk just because it sounds more worldly than talking about your job or your house hunt. The people going to their grandma’s house 2 hours away never bring it up first, which is a sign that only the braggers think it’s small talk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Response to your family staying home is always something like, "Oh. That's lovely. Very traditional." Stings a little.

I never say we’re staying home. I say “I don’t know, we haven’t really thought that far ahead.” Braggy people get thrown by that kind of nonchalance and any laid-back bystanders will appreciate your chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't travel but I have never felt that people are trying to brag about their travels. "Have any plans for the break?" seems like a normal small-talk question. I just say, "No, we are staying in town, how about you?" It's not that serious.

It is normal. But when they ask you with a certain spunky swagger, they are doing it to tee up being asked about their plans.

NP. How exhausting it must be to be you.

+1 I think it comes from jealousy/insecurity such a sad way to live

Yes, it does trigger insecurities. Especially in kids who have to watch the rich classmates’ play by play on social media every break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL I was asked recently of our plans and was very honest when I shared that we plan to clean out the basement. Person couldn't wait to get away from me lol.

Oooh I would be in for this conversation. Finished or unfinished? Will we be bleaching things? Are you clearing stuff out or just rearranging? Can I come to the container store with you to pick stuff out? Is there time to paint?

[Anonymous]

We drive to stay with midwestern grandparents, I am so jealous of people who tell me they’re staying home for the holidays.